Gregory Jaczko colleagues tell of secrecy, 'verbal assaults'

If NRC chief Gregory Jaczko wants to iron things out with his colleagues, they made it clear Wednesday that he’s got a fight on his hands.

Jaczko’s four colleagues at the helm of the nation’s top nuclear regulator recounted examples of the chairman’s “rather distasteful and dishonest media campaign,” control and interception of information and intimidation of agency staff while testifying before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

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Democratic Commissioner William Magwood — an appointee of President Barack Obama — lobbed the most powerful jabs against Jaczko’s leadership.

Magwood testified that Jaczko has tried to control the flow of information at the NRC so much that it has led staff to create an “underground network of individuals who remain loyal to the normal function of the agency.” When he’s confronted Jaczko about information he’s discovered, Magwood said that the chairman has sometimes denied the existence of the documents.

Magwood also told lawmakers that Jaczko has, on occasion, dispatched his staff to interrupt meetings between other commissioners.

Republican Commissioner Kristine Svinicki told lawmakers that the internal friction within the leadership is at a breaking point.

“Although some amount of tension is expected in any deliberative body, I believe the level of tension among the currently serving members of this commission is impeding the collegial processes of the NRC and is obstructing the functioning of key processes between the commission and the agency staff,” she said in her prepared statement.

Jaczko’s behavior, she said, has “become increasingly unworkable and threatens the viability of a functioning commission structure.”

The “most troubling” issue about Jaczko, Magwood said, was his “raging verbal assault” of agency staff, particularly against women who have had “personal experience with the chairman’s extreme behavior,” some of whom have been brought to tears in front of their colleagues.

From 1998 until 2005, Magwood directed the Energy Department’s nuclear program. He cited examples in the past in which he has removed staff for similarly misogynistic behavior.

Magwood also defended himself and his three colleagues who wrote of Jaczko’s management style to the White House in October against those that would questions their commitment to nuclear safety.

“My colleagues and I have endured a rather distasteful and dishonest media campaign over the last week,” Magwood told lawmakers. “We have seen a wide range of misleading and untrue reports about our motivations, our characters, and our commitment to safety.

“It is quite clear that this campaign is intended to divert the attention of Congress and the public from the very real concerns we have about the leadership of our agency,” Magwood said.

He added: “I don’t intend to allow this tactic to succeed.”

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 10:54 a.m. on December 14, 2011.

Readers' Comments (14)

Rep. Cummings behavior is reprehensible. There are two Democrats before him who have risked it all to bring this issue to the forefront. Both heroes in my opinion.Jaczko's behavior is not a partisan issue its a human rights issue. Cummings callous indifference to workplace harassment is breathtaking.

Why is anyone surprised that Obama's guy is a liar, misleading and misogynistic? He's just like Obama, according to Anita Dunn and other White House staff quoted in Ron Suskind's outstanding book, "Confidence Men."

Never thought I could agree with a liberal, but you are right. This is not a political issue since members from both parties are being abused. There is no reason to defend this guy, but nothing will happen because he is protected against the laws the rest of us follow about hostile work places.

Sorry but there is no indication in any of the reporting on this story that indicates that "workplace harassment" is taking place. The situation appears to be one of personality clashes and nothing more. This is normal in any bureaucracy.

Why is anyone surprised that Obama's guy is a liar, misleading and misogynistic? He's just like Obama, according to Anita Dunn and other White House staff quoted in Ron Suskind's outstanding book, "Confidence Men."

A Gingrich presidency would be as narcissistic, incompetent and divisive as Obama's. Newt would be the new Divider in Chief.

There is no indication that President Obama is any of the things that you falsely claim. Although I have not yet read the referenced book, there is no indication that such behavior is indeed occurring at the NRC.

There is no doubt that a Gingrich administration would be more divisive for the country than was the corrupt Bush/Cheney regime. Sadly, there is no indication that it would be any better if any of the other losers seeking the Presidential nomination of the Republican Party were actually able to win the 2012 election. Republicans throughout history have proven over and over again that they are not able to effectively manage a complex bureaucracy like the Federal government.

Anyone who falsely claims that the Obama administration has been incompetent is just someone who is not aware of what is going on in the world around them. President Obama has amassed accomplishments in quality and quantity much greater than any previous President in a comparable time period. This nation is going to begin to see the return of our military from the unnecessary Iraq war. This accomplishment alone will ensure that historians categorize President Obama as one of the best men to ever serve as President of the United States.

Harry Reid sent this guy to the NRC to bring all progress to a screeching halt. We should not be surprised to discover that he's doing what the ventriloquist wants him to do.

NEWS FLASH: You are engaged in creative fiction. There is absolutely no indication that progress at the NRC has come to a screeching halt in any respect. The NRC has one of the most highly educated professional staffs in the country. They do not allow occasional petty bureucracy infighting distract them from their duties to protect public health and safety!

Gregory Jaczko (R) is a jerk, not a leader. Republicans blaming the women in 5-4-3-....

NEWS FLASH: You are apparently a mind reader because there is nothing in this story that indicates that Chairman Jaczko is a "jerk." There is simply no factual information presented that would lead a logical person to such a conclusion!

Gregory Jaczko (R) is a jerk, not a leader. Republicans blaming the women in 5-4-3-.... " Actually he is A Democrat.

REALITY CHECK: It was George W. Bush, a Republican, who appointed Mr. Jaczko to being a member of the five person Commission. It was President Obama, a Democrat, who provided him the ceremonial title of Chairman. There is no information provided in the story to indicate the political party of Chairman Jacxko.

There is no reason to defend this guy, but nothing will happen because he is protected against the laws the rest of us follow about hostile work places.

REALITY CHECK: Your post makes no sense. There is absolutely no reason that Chairman Jackzo would not be subject to the same laws about hostile work environment as any other employee.

There is no evidence that the NRC has ever been regarded as a hostile work place. The NRC consistently for decades has received the highest rankings of Federal agencies in being regarded as the best place to work.

This situation has all of the appearances of being nothing more than a clash of personalities. This is not subject unique in any bureaucracy!

slavin, go read other articles. jacsko is a democrat. and as far as the obama regime, they are the most lawless administration this country has ever seen. the whistle blowers at justice will be taking them out.